Government and Church Stifle New Ideas
Dear Wake Up Family and Friends,
Nearly 300 years ago, the Irish philosopher Edmund Burke made the well-known statement, “Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it.” In Bible times, the ancients believed the earth was flat and if you moved too far in one direction, you would fall into the fires of hell. However, four centuries ago, Copernicus published a book challenging this belief presenting the theory that Earth was a sphere that rotates around the sun. The Catholic Church held their interpretation of scripture could not be disputed, so the idea that the earth was not flat was heresy.
One hundred years after Copernicus, the Church had still not changed its position and was trying to squelch any thoughts opposing its view. The Church ordered Galileo to trial because he was sharing these alternate views. Galileo’s “heresy” cost him dearly. “We order that by a public edict the book of Dialogues of Galileo be prohibited, and We condemn thee to the prison of this Holy Office during Our will and pleasure; and as a salutary penance We enjoin on thee that for the space of three years thou shalt recite once a week the Seven Penitential Psalms.”
The Church used its political and religious power to censor Galileo’s (and Copernicus’) printed materials. Just in case another scientist might begin publicizing these offensive views, the Church ordered that Galileo’s sentence be widely publicized in scientific circles.
What is amazing is that elements in society today reflect the same human foibles that existed four centuries ago. At the time of Galileo, the church controlled the proliferation of political and religious thought. Today, technology, media, and government conspire to accomplish a similar objective. Secularism is now a religion for the institutions whose goal is to control access to information and our God-given right to make personal decisions.
Examples of this overreach abound. The media, educational, and information technology sectors, sometimes colluding with government, have manipulated and controlled information, so only “correct” information is shared. Years ago, people used to meet in the town square and openly discuss all sides of an issue. A person could then consider all alternatives and make their own informed decision. Today, this is not allowed. Entities are becoming more blatant in stifling news or discussion about election fraud, vaccinations, science, racism, and enduring moral values.
If the 144,000 appeared today, their message that “the world is deep in the pit of sin,” as demonstrated by the rampant homosexuality, transgenderism, and moral depravity throughout society, would be restricted. Like the Catholic Church of old, today, self-righteous individuals would call them misogynists, bigots, racists, sexists, or homophobes. Every attempt would be made to “cancel” them and eliminate them from any public forum so their message could not be shared.
I used to think the first four trumpets were designed to break down religious barriers so people would consider a message counter to their church’s. However, today even larger barriers exist throughout society. The trumpets will have to sound to create an environment in which the 144,000 can share their God-given end-time message despite religious and secular barriers.
Their message will go out. They will prophesy for 1,260 days, (Revelation 11:3) and the Bible says they will not be canceled. “If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.” (Revelation 11:5–6) I am looking forward to the day when Satan’s attempts to control their message will fail miserably and God’s complete, unfiltered truth is shared throughout the world!
Wishing the best of God’s blessings for each of you,
Marty
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